Letter to DuPage County Board Members and Forest Preserve Commissioners Outlining Navistar Facility Dangers
November 23, 2009
Dear Commissioners:
The DuPage County Green Party has deep concerns about the proposed Navistar facility located at 2600 Warrenville Road in Lisle. Our concerns are as follows:
1) Danger to Surrounding Communities. Harmful chemicals will be stored on the site in above-ground containers near homes and schools. While we understand that Navistar has promised to take precautions to secure these chemicals so they do not leak or explode, there is no fail-proof containment system. Every day, there are dangerous leaks of toxic chemicals at plants like this one, despite the best intentions of the owners of these facilities. It is the responsibility of DuPage County government leaders to protect the public by following best practices in zoning and keeping industrial facilities like this one far apart from residential areas.
2) Significant Loss/Destruction of Environmental Assets. According to Friends of the Great Western Trail, a local environmental advocacy group, some 350 mature trees on the property in question will be destroyed. Furthermore, 3 acres of land currently owned by the Forest Preserve will be transferred to Navistar without replacement or proper compensation.
3) Pollution. Commonsense will tell you that a facility like this will emit pollution and toxins into the air, soil and water nearby, and its close proximity to the Forest Preserve means that much of this pollution will be absorbed by the Forest Preserve. Furthermore, pollution from the facility will no doubt find its way into nearby residential gardens. Any person or animal who relies on ground water may be exposed to toxins as well.
4) Asthma and Cancer. Many of the likely emissions from this facility, including exhaust from the nearly 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel to be burned there per week, are likely carcinogens and can lead to an array of health problems. According to Cancer.org, diesel exhaust is linked to asthma and lung cancer, and is suspected to cause larynx, pancreas, bladder, kidney and other cancers.
5) Corporate Welfare. According to a report in the Daily Herald, the "sale" of the land was made possible by a $1.5 million donation to Navistar from DuPage County and Lisle. According to a company press release, Navistar took in near record revenues of $14.7 billion in 2008, despite the global economic downturn. By comparison, the DuPage County budget is a mere fraction of that at $450 million. Furthermore, as the global economy was melting down, Navistar tripled its CEO compensation $6.64 million last year, while DuPage County on the other hand has budgeted for layoffs. It is our firm belief that a public entity struggling to balance its budget should not cut welfare checks to an extremely well-funded private corporation, and this money should be refunded to taxpayers.
6) Noise. With round the clock testing, along with heavy equipment being transported in and out of the Testing Facility, there is very likely going to be noise created by the facility above and beyond what could be expected from the usual office building.
With these concerns in mind, it does not appear that Navistar's plans for the facility are the right fit for the community, and we urge you to work with Navistar to either scale down or halt the plan.
Signed,
The DuPage County Green Party
Steve Alesch
Co-Chair
William Edgar
Co-Chair
Patrick Kelly
Secretary
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